BOOK BLAST
Book Title: The Talent’s Choice
Author: Michael Dee
Publisher: American Publishers, Inc
Cover Artist: American Publishers, Inc AI
Release Date: January 8, 2026
Tense/POV: First person/Past tense/Dual POV
Genres: Contemporary MM Romance
Heat Rating: 4.5 flames
Length: 78 000 words
It is a standalone book.
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Only $2.99 through June 2026.
This post contains material suitable only for readers 18+
How much are you willing to give up for fame?
Blurb
In The Talent’s Choice, where dreams are made and hearts are tested, one rising star is about to discover that fame isn’t the only thing worth fighting for.
Tristan Weber has always believed his future was waiting somewhere beyond Missouri. With New York City as his first step and Hollywood in his sights, he’s ready to give everything he has to make it. Success is closer than ever—and so is the life he’s always dreamed of.
But love was never part of the plan.
When Tristan meets Cory Reed, a guarded yet deeply sincere flight attendant who’s been waiting for someone worthy of his trust, everything begins to change. What starts as an unexpected connection quickly turns into something undeniable, something real. The kind of love neither of them saw coming… and neither of them can ignore.
As Tristan’s star begins to rise within The Talent’s Choice, the spotlight grows hotter, the stakes grow higher, and the pressure to succeed threatens to pull him away from the one person who feels like home.
Because in a world built on ambition, desire, and impossible choices…love may be the greatest risk of all.
Will Tristan chase the life he’s always wanted—or fight for the one he never knew he needed?
And when everything is on the line… Can love survive the cost of being chosen, or is there a moment when you simply decide you've had enough?
Excerpt
The car stopped in front of an enormous brick building that looked like an old factory, with large windows encircling all 6 floors. The driver had the trunk open, as we both emerged from the back seat. And with bags in hand, Tristen led us through the industrial looking lobby of his building, where a large service elevator waited for us. I didn’t even have time to turn around and Tristen was on me, pushing me back against the metal wall as the upper and lower doors closed to engage the lift.
His hands were inside my jacket, as his mouth was pressed hard against mine as our tongues competed for dominance. I pushed my hands around him, and into the waist of his pants, cupping his hot, hard, ass checks in both my hands. I could feel his hardness pressing against me, even though our pants. “Fuck me!” I said as our lips parted.
“My thoughts exactly.” Tristen said, after unbuckling my belt and both hands working hard on getting my pants open.
When the lift came to an abrupt stop our lips were still locked, and both of us were in a dilapidated state of undress. And by the time two doors parted, my jacket was hanging off me, and my shirt was completely unbuttoned. And as I tried to walk out of the elevator, Tristen grabbed hold of my jacket and before I knew it, he had thrown it on the foyer floor, then my shirt was ripped from my body and tossed over his shoulder. I turned to look at him, as he pulled his own shirt over his head, revealing a chiseled smooth chest, and hard abs unlike any I had ever seen. He quickly reached into his pants for his key to his front door, as I tossed my shoes off my feet.
The apartment was dark, other than the ambient light thrown off by the buildings outside, he grabbed my hand to pull me inside. I looked at the clothes scattered in the elevator foyer. “Don’t worry, it’s my private foyer, they’ll be there in the morning.” Tristen said and suddenly his lips were on my again as he lifted me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist as we walked deeper into the dark apartment. I felt his hard cock rubbing against my ass as he maneuvered us through darkens until we both fell on a soft leather sofa. Our lips were still locked onto each other’s, with our tongues diving deep into one another’s throats. My hands digging through the thick locks of his hair, as I felt his warm hands exploring my hard, perky nipples.
Our collective moans would have woken the neighbors if we cared, but all we wanted now was to get each other naked. As we both struggled to do, with our lips still locked together. I felt my pants and underwear being pushed off my hips, only to be tangled in the stiffness of my cock. My hands were pulling on the back of Tristan’s pants, with my thumbs under the band of his boxer briefs, I pushed them over both sumptuous mounds, exposing his perfect ass which my hands quickly coveted as I began to knead his warm flesh with my fingers.
Obviously frustrated with our lack of progress, Tristen pushed up off me and looked down into my eyes. I could see the want and desire beaming back at me as he looked at my half naked body. He stood up, my eyes drank in the beauty of his body. His chest was smooth, his pecks pronounced with his nipples as small as buds protruding, aching for attention. My gaze went lower, his abs were like steel rods crisscrossing his stomach, tight, firm and flawless, and then there was the small indentation of his perfectly shaped bellybutton. My eyes continued to the open winged flaps of his pants, exposing his underwear, with his button and zipper completely undone. And what I was staring at took my breath away. His Calvin Klien black boxer brief swathed the engorged pillar of his huge, hard cock that was so desperate for release. It was fat and thick. Stemming from the bottom of his zipper, extending high until its head thrust against the waistband of his underwear. I reached out for him, but I was too late, Tristen had already turned his attention to the confines of my pants.
One leg, then the other, until I was only clad in my black briefs. Tristen knelt next to me and pushed his face in between my legs. I could feel the heat of his breath on my tight balls, as he pressed into them with his right hand. I moaned at the touch, until he began licking the taught fabric encasing my aching cock, sending shivers up my spine. I arched my back, pressing myself into the touch of his tongue as it moved upward, towards my pulsing head.
About the Author
Michael has been an LGBT romantic short story writer for 20+ years before undertaking his first novel. He has consistently demonstrated a passion for reading and writing gay romantic stories which he continues to pursue in this his first book titled The Talent’s Choice, a gay romantic novel. Readers who have appreciated Michael Dee's previous works will find his latest endeavor equally captivating.
Author Links
Website and Newsletter Sign-Up | Facebook
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Ornery Owl's Review
Rating: Four out of Five Stars
The pacing of this story was excellent overall, keeping me immersed in Tristan’s and Cory’s emotional turmoils and evolving careers. Their slow burn romantic arc felt relatable and authentic. The intimate scenes in the jet and the interaction at the airport were genuinely moving.
Sometimes the multitude of characters got in the way of the romance. However, the story was rich with trope-aware setups, emotional conflict, and a relationship that evolves organically. Tristan and Cory were engaging, and their personal histories and vulnerabilities made them feel real. Mutual respect and clear consent in their intimate moments gave an additional level of care to the narrative. The presence of supportive friends, family, and secondary relationships added warmth.
A favorite interaction:
“You know I love you so much,” I said, my eyes growing tired as we snuggled together in bed.
“Oh god, Cory, I forgot to tell you! We have a date for the premiere!” Tristan said with great excitement.
Tristan’s hopes to break into acting, his early modeling struggles, and career versus love struggles dominated his arc. Cory’s background as a flight attendant, his self-doubt, and longing for authentic intimacy rounded him out nicely. Their motivations to find genuine love amidst the entertainment industry’s pressures felt credible. Their voices, through internal monologues and dialogue, were distinct.
Tristan is hopeful but anxious, Cory is grounded and cautious. Supporting characters like Ryan and Keira deepened the stakes, especially with Ryan’s interference creating real conflict and hurt. Sometimes the huge ensemble cast and side stories diluted the focus from the couple’s story. But overall, the romantic evolution was believable.
The NYC and LA settings and the modeling and airline industry details created an immersive backdrop. Scenes on set, commercial shoots, and airport life were vividly rendered. The Hollywood studio drama felt authentic. The Mexico shoot and the private island adventure added a light exotic flavor without overshadowing the romance.
Themes of self-acceptance, authentic love, the price of ambition, and the power of friendship came through strongly. The tone was consistent, balancing romance with darker moments of heartbreak and manipulation. The hopeful, tender moments, such as the proposal scene or quiet bedroom intimacy, offset the tension. Humor was subtle, usually occurring in banter or personal reflection.
The heartfelt family moments, such as Tristan coming out to his parents or meeting Cory’s family, added emotional resonance. The extensive secondary character developments and less relevant partying scenes slowed the story in places. At times the stakes around cheating and studio interference felt intense but occasionally these dragged on without new revelations or evolution.
Tropes like struggling actor, industry sabotage, and second chance love were handled with emotional authenticity. Tightening some subplots, trimming longer passages, and strengthening the voices of secondary characters would improve the narrative, but Tristan and Cory's love story shines.
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